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Monday, November 7, 2011

NaNo, You Know?

We are all hunkered down, each in his or her way. Pounding out 1,667 words a day if we're doing NaNoWriMo, or, if we're not doing NaNo, polishing our manuscript for querying, or getting up the nerve to start something new, or any other number of writerly things (including my favorite: lying on the floor and staring at the ceiling until the urge to run away fades). We love it. We love it all. Except when we hate it.

NaNoWriMo is the stuff of people's fantasies (our fantasies) of what it's like to be a writer. And because it's here, it's raising the big questions: Can I be a successful writer? Is it worth all the sacrifices? Am I totally, like, narcissistic and delusional to think I can do this? Am I letting the people I love down by focusing on my own needs? You know the rest.

Whether you've got a crazy schedule and kids to take care of, or simply sometimes ponder the sanity of your choice to be a writer, you need to believe in yourself and your choice. I went looking for answers from one of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver, and found the following beautiful poem. I hope it speaks to you, as it does to me, with love and reassurance. (And don't worry, your kids and spouse will still love you when you resurface and share yourself with them, even more, because you'll be more you.)

Linda, this is a fabulous post. I had never read The Journey, and so thankful I you shared it with us. Ironically I wrote about the inner voice on my Monday Motivation today.

Irony? of Synchronicity?

As you know, I have jumped into NaNo. Sunday I updated my first week progress and the crazy schedule I have this week. http://tinyurl.com/76rd5oe Then last night I slept 4 hours and awoke to the call of my computer and wrote over 4000 words to keep me on schedule.

Yes... I can be a writer! Yes... it is worth it! Yes... No... I am not delusional! Yes... the world can deal with passion! Yes... I need a nap!

It is a beautiful poem, isn't it Julie? Made me think of Jamaica Kincaid (the most AMAZING writer), who actually said she became a writer in order to literally save her own life. With your energy and wit, you can do it, Julie.

This Blog

(Click on white topic titles above for archived posts)

Most writers struggle to maintain equilibrium in their writing life. We find that both intense solitude and enthusiastic networking are necessary to success. It's a little crazy. Curiously, we are not willing to give up this crazy life. We need help. Not to give anything up, but to make it easier.

This blog is meant to be a writers' resource, to identify and delve into the elements that help us achieve equilibrium and success. Each Monday I'll post on Writer's Craft or Practical Tools—the keys to writing and pitching a great story. Previously I’ve covered topics including News & Views, People to Know, and Creative Energy. You can access those posts by clicking on the white topic headings above. While the posts will dip back into those pools when something irresistible comes up, for the most part I’m now zeroing in on the primary requirement we all must meet to become published . . . writing a great book. I hope these posts are useful and that you'll leave comments and ask questions so we can indulge in one of our favorite writerly things—a dialogue.

About Me

I'm a writer who lives in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. and loves to travel. I write mystery/suspense and historical fiction. One suspense novel, set in London and Cairo, is now on submission, while I delve into the struggle for survival that shaped the undeclared war between Native Americans and white American settlers in the Ohio River Valley in the late 1700s.